When you deal with food issues like gluten or nut free, you really realize how many foods it really impacts. Being just gluten free is hard enough because there are so many things you can no longer have. Add in other food issues and allergies and the list quickly grows much longer.

When we first had to go gluten, nut, and sesame free, there were some obvious things we could not have. Breads, cereals, peanut butter, etc., but there were many items that I never even thought about until I went to make some of our favorite foods.

One of those items was hoisin sauce. It is one of those things that I did not use often, but in some Asian type recipes it made a big difference when I just left it out.

So, I have been on a mission to recreate items like hoisin sauce. I have been working on this one for awhile and finally got one we are happy with.

Now, I will admit, this is not quite the same, but it works well in recipes. The taste is a little different because of the sesame and other things it is missing, but the texture is right.

One of the issues I had when just leaving hoisin sauce out of a recipe was that it changed the texture of the recipe or sauce. This homemade hoisin sauce is the closest thing to the right texture and taste I have come up with.

And if you can have sesame, I would add a little bit of sesame oil to this. A little bit goes a long way with sesame oil, so it does not take much, but it does give it a better flavor.

Homemade Hoisin Sauce is a post from: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures ©2012 LynnsKitchenAdventures - All rights reserved.

I know a lot of the readers here in my allergy section, don’t follow my main site, so I wanted to be sure to mention a series I am doing this year over in my main section.

I have always enjoyed making homemade versions of our favorite foods, but when gluten free and nut allergies entered our life, homemade versions became a necessity. It really is the best way for me to know our food is safe. If I make it, I can control the ingredients.

I started this series earlier this month and so far we have covered homemade onion soup mix, homemade chili seasoning, homemade tootsie rolls, and homemade cheeseburger helper. I will try to highlight a few of these each month in my allergy section, but if you like homemade versions of your favorite foods, you will want to follow along on my main site. My goal is to post a new homemade favorite every Thursday.

The theme of homemade favorites will be here in my allergy section as well. I plan to share more recipes like the Gluten Free version of Red Lobsters Cheddar Bay Biscuits that I shared yesterday.

And if you like homemade versions I have lots of ones in the archives that are gluten free. 

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Homemade Fajita Seasoning

How to Make Homemade Pudding- There are links to my favorite homemade puddings here also.

Panera Style Tomato Soup

Homemade Favorites Series- Perfect for Gluten Free and Allergy Friendly Eating is a post from: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures ©2012 LynnsKitchenAdventures - All rights reserved.

One of they things that has really hit home for me recently is that my girls are growing up. In a few short years they will be off on their own and I will no longer be controlling what they eat.

I have already taught them to read labels, ask questions, and to never eat something they can’t trust, because even now I am not always there to help them. But some day the full responsibility of dealing with food issues will fall on them and I need to help prepare them for that.

We all know that eating gluten free can be expensive and when you add in serious food allergies the expense goes even higher.

I know I need to teach my daughters to stay safe when it comes to dealing with their food issues, but I am realizing that I need to prepare them even more by teaching them areas to save money with food issues as well.

One of those ways is to cook and make things at home.

During the month of December life was crazy and busy and time was limited. My oldest daughter kept asking me to restock our homemade granola supply. I made a small batch, but with five of us it did not last long and she was asking for more.

It is no secret that my family loves homemade granola. We loved homemade granola long before we were gluten and nut free, but once we were gluten and nut free, homemade granola quickly became a need.

My girls and I eat gluten free, but my oldest daughter also deals with a peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergy. Finding breakfast cereals that are safe for all of us is challenging and expensive.

Gluten free cereals are hard enough to find, but finding nut and peanut free also, is almost impossible. And what you can find is very expensive and not very healthy or filling.

So, last week I decided it was time to make a large batch of homemade granola to restock our supply, but this time I changed it up. I made her make it. I helped, but she did the majority of the work.

Now homemade granola is not hard to make, it takes time, but is not hard. However, she had never made it and had not really even paid attention when I made it. She really had no clue how it was made.

So, we spent some time learning how to make homemade gluten free, nut and peanut free granola. I let her choose the flavors and she choose crispy homemade granola, homemade coconut granola, and of course chocolate granola. We went to work and had a fun time in the kitchen.

I taught her about gluten free oats and why they are the better choice. We reviewed reading labels and other things as we worked.

And when we were all done I realized that by taking an hour or so out of my day, I not only taught my daughter how to make homemade granola, I taught her something that will be valuable her entire life. By teaching her how to make homemade granola I showed her something that will keep her healthier, safer, and will save her money.

I taught her a simple skill, but it is a skill that will make life with food allergies so much easier, healthier, and less expensive over the course of her life.

It is easy to overlook the simple things when dealing with food issues, but sometimes it is the simple things that are most important.

Are you spending time with your kids in the kitchen? I would love to hear how you are preparing them to live with a lifetime of food issues. 

Gluten Free and Nut Free Granola and Teaching Kids To Cook is a post from: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures ©2012 LynnsKitchenAdventures - All rights reserved.

A couple of weeks ago I shared that we were considering getting my daughter a medical alert bracelet. And I want to thank all of you that took the time to comment on that post. I loved hearing what you all have done regarding getting one for yourself or your child.

We ended up getting my daughter one from Lauren’s Hope. I am not affiliated with Lauren’s Hope at all. I simply found them when I started searching for bracelets and they had one that my daughter liked and that we thought would work well.

For my daughter’s bracelet we decided to stick with one that looks like a medical alert bracelet, but was still nice enough that she would be willing to wear it all the time. We let her pick out the one she wanted and we let her get the black medical logo instead of the red, because it makes it slightly less noticeable. Although the red is probably the best color to get.

My daughter has very sensitive skin and deals with some metal allergies. I knew an inexpensive bracelet would not work for us, but at the same time I did not want to spend a lot of money on something she might lose or break.

The one we got seemed to fit what we were looking for and she has not reacted to it. Although if you have metal allergies, I would contact any company you order from to get more information.

For my daughter’s bracelet we had engraved on it, her name, tree nut peanut allergy, and carries epi pen. We wanted to include plenty of information to let someone know what she needs, without putting too much information on it.

Getting my daughter an allergy alert bracelet has made me feel so much better about dealing with her allergies when I am not around. It does not change the fact that we still have to be on guard, but if she ever does eat something that she reacts to, those around her will know what to do.

My Daughter’s Medical Alert Bracelet is a post from: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures ©2012 LynnsKitchenAdventures - All rights reserved.

My daughter has had her peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergies for two and a half years, last week was the first time we needed to use an epipen.

Let me start by saying that I am very grateful this is our first experience with epinephrine, or even a reaction that even came close to needing it. My daughter carries an epipen, but has been very fortunate in the fact that she has never needed to use it.

And last week we were very fortunate to be at the allergist when she did actually need one.  If you need Epinephrine, an allergy clinic with tons of doctors and medical staff, trained in allergies, is the place to be.

My daughter was has been going through some allergy testing the last few weeks, and at her appointment last week, she had a reaction. After a mega dose of benadryl, some steroids, and a shot of Epinephrine, she was fine. Well, she was a bit worn out and drugged up, but she was fine.

Going through the whole experience though, and talking to my sister whose family deals with several severe allergies, got me thinking about the seriousness of allergies.

I know the seriousness of what we are dealing with, but your child needing a shot of epinephrine, makes what you are dealing with really hit home. Reality sunk in for me last week, and I started thinking about the what if’s of dealing with life threatening allergies.

Like the what if my daughter has a reaction when I am not around, what if her reaction is so bad that she is not with it enough to know what to do, or what if no one around her knows what to do? The reality is you can read labels and be very careful about what goes into your mouth, but no matter how careful you are things can still happen.

So, I am seriously thinking of getting my daughter a medical alert bracelet or necklace to wear. The fact that she might need one, or that it might be wise to get her one, did not even cross my mind until I was talking to my sister about the whole experience. Because the whole idea is new to me, I thought I would ask you all what your thoughts were.

If you, or someone in your family, has a life threatening allergy, do you wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace? I would love to hear your thoughts on it and why you do or don’t wear one? 

Ask the Readers {Medical Alert ID For Food Allergies} is a post from: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures ©2012 LynnsKitchenAdventures - All rights reserved.

I have gone back and forth on whether or not to share this post. I have written and rewritten it many times over the last few weeks. I do not want to come across as complaining and whining, but at the same time I know you all understand.

One of the things I love about my allergy section is that I can keep it real because you all get it. We are all going through the same thing. You all get what food issues are all about. And I am so thankful I have this place to go and I am so thankful for you.

When it comes to food issues the last few months have been tough for me. I have struggled. I have longed for a piece of real pizza. I have longed to go out to eat without having to ask a hundred questions.

I have been tempted to buy that doughnut at the store, and I have fallen apart over food more times than I care to admit. I am tired of being on guard when it comes to everything that comes into my house and goes into my mouth.

I have been gluten free for over two years. My daughter has been nut and peanut free for over two years. Food issues are not new to me and yet there are times that it is still really hard.

There are times where I just wish I could eat normally and have a normal kitchen again. There are times when I wish we were no longer that family that no one wants to invite over because we are so hard to feed. I wish I could go on vacation like a normal person and not have to stress about food, where we will eat, and worry if one of us will get sick.

I have found that relaxing for me since going gluten free and nut free is extremely difficult. Food is a part of everyday life. We have to eat so, I am always on guard about what I eat and what I will feed my family. I am always having to think about food. I can’t just relax and take a day off from dealing with these issues.

There are times that eating gluten and nut free is just overwhelming and hard to accept. There is no break from dealing with these issues and that is something that only those dealing with these issues can truly understand.

And yet, I know how I will feel if I eat that doughnut or piece of pizza. I know what will happen if I am not careful and my daughter eats a peanut by mistake. I know that gluten free living has given me a life that I never thought I would have. I know that gluten free eating has change my health and made running a mile in under 10 minutes possible for me.

I know gluten free eating is so worth it and yet at times is can still be hard. I would not risk my daughter’s health for anything and yet that does not always make it easier.

My goal has always been to focus on the positive, but sometimes focusing on the positive is harder than others.

And yet deep down I know it could be worse. So many people wish their health problems could be fixed with food and ours can. So many people deal with problems much greater than I am dealing with.

I am so much healthier and I know in the end this journey is so worth it.

If you are struggling with your or your family’s food issues, just know that you are not alone. We all struggle. We all have those days and times where it is hard and overwhelming, but in the end we all know that it is worth it.

Thanks for understanding and thanks for letting me keep it real.

Keeping It Real { A Food Allergies are Hard and at Times Overwhelming Type Post} is a post from: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures ©2012 LynnsKitchenAdventures - All rights reserved.

Today I thought I would share a few recent gluten free finds from around the web that I have enjoyed.

If you are looking for gluten free snack food ideas Jo-Lynne over at Musings of a Housewife is sharing some of her favorites.

The Gluten Free Homemaker shared recently about the grieving processes you go through with gluten free and it is a good read even if you have been gluten free for awhile.

My sister shared a Gluten Free Lemon Blueberry that looks really good.

If you are looking for ways to save money please check out $5 Dinners new site Food Allergies On a Budget. She shares some great deals for both gluten free foods and allergy friendly foods.

And if you are a new reader here on this site, be sure to also follow my main site and my main site on Facebook. My main site is not totally gluten free, but the majority of what I have shared over the last 2 years is gluten free or can easily be adapted to be gluten free by reading labels and using gluten free pasta, etc.

What gluten free finds have you found around the web recently? 

A Few Favorite Gluten Free Finds From Around the Web {April 2012} is a post from: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures ©2012 LynnsKitchenAdventures - All rights reserved.

I think Chex cereal may be one of my favorite gluten free items to keep on hand.

There are several varieties now that are gluten free and they make the perfect breakfast or snack. My kids will eat them plain for a snack, but they are even more fun and delicious when you play around with different flavors added to them.

Today I thought I would highlight a few of my favorite ways to use Chex.

Muddie Buddies might just be our favorite way to eat Chex. And I have tried these with SunButter and it works really well.

Lemon Buddies are also very good and are perfect for spring.

You can’t go wrong with Snow Buddies. Who wouldn’t like white chocolate and candy?!  (And for those with nut allergies you can just leave the candy out and it is still great!)

This Cinnamon and Sugar Chex Mix is very good. I made this during the holidays and we loved it.

And I can’t forget about Caramel Chex Mix. This one is really good too.

What is your favorite way to use Chex cereal? 

Note: This is not a sponsored post. I did not receive anything for mentioning Chex cereal. I just love their cereals and the fact that they are gluten free. 

Why I Love Chex Cereal is a post from: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures ©2012 LynnsKitchenAdventures - All rights reserved.

My family was recently sent a few bags of Enjoy Life’s Fruit and Seed Mix to try.

Now, I will admit that trail mix type food is not something I really miss. There are times like when traveling that it would be nice to have, but it was not really something that I craved.

However, when my daughter with the peanut, tree nut allergy opened the box from Enjoy Life and realized that there was a nut and peanut free type trail mix available that she could eat she was thrilled.

Really, she was more than thrilled. She was amazed that someone actually made a nut free type trail mix and she was so excited to find that it was available. So, because she was so excited about this trail mix, I was very excited.

Now, I don’t mean that it was not a good product, it was. We loved the taste and flavor of the trail mix, but there is something about the joy in a child that deals with food allergies, when they realize that there is a version of something they miss, that is safe to eat.

The fun of enjoying them eat that food again is something that is hard to describe.

And we enjoyed this so much, I recently ordered some through Vitacost to keep on hand. It makes for a quick and healthy snack to keep on hand that my whole family can enjoy  and for that fact we love it!

Disclaimer: I was sent some free product to try, but I was not compensated for my time in writing this post. And as always my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Enjoy Life Seed and Fruit Mix is a post from: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures ©2012 LynnsKitchenAdventures - All rights reserved.

My son recently had a birthday. He is my gluten eating and gluten loving son, who does not deal with any food allergies or issues.

He puts up with a lot, and sacrifices often, for those in the house that deal with food issues. And I have to say he is great about it. I am so proud of his attitude and willingness to put our food needs before his food wants.

So, for his birthday we gave him a special treat. My daughters and I decided that for one day, my son should be able to eat his favorite foods, pizza and chocolate cake. And we are not talking gluten free pizza and gluten free cake, we wanted him to have and enjoy the real thing.

We decided take out pizza at my in-laws would work perfectly and I bought a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting from Sam’s Club for him.

Yes, those are both gluten filled foods and foods that my girls and I cannot eat, but it was my son’s day, so we simply ate something else and let him enjoy his birthday meal. We felt it was the least we could do for all the sacrifices he makes for us.

For us this worked. I was able to give him his favorite gluten filled foods for his birthday and taking the “mess” elsewhere, made it much easier on those of us that deal with the food issues. I was able to take food the girls and I could have and we all ended up having a very nice day.

Birthdays and food allergies and issues can be very challenging and I would love to hear how you deal it. Do you have any tips to share? 

Birthdays, Siblings, and Dealing With Food Allergies is a post from: Lynn's Kitchen Adventures ©2012 LynnsKitchenAdventures - All rights reserved.